Clan villages

Historic villages in the Republic of Korea are of diverse forms, but 80 per cent of them are clan villages. The genesis of this type of settlement dates from the late Goryeo dynasty (918–1392) and they became typical of Korean villages from the latter part of the Joseon dynasty (1392–1910). Clan villages are now on the decline with the rapid urbanization and industrialization of Korea. Hahoe and Yangdong, the clan villages inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2010, are traditional and fully express the academic and cultural achievements of the Joseon dynasty. The agencies responsible for the properties are the Cultural Heritage Administration at central government level, Gyeongsangbuk-do at provincial level and Andong and Gyeongju cities at local government levels.

These are two of the best preserved and representative examples of clan villages, and in their siting, planning and building traditions they make an exceptional testimony to the Confucianism of the Joseon dynasty, which produced settlements that followed strict Confucian ideals over a period of some 500 years. The two villages faithfully adhere to the pungsu principle (traditional siting principle, feng shui in Chinese), in village construction. One sits along a river and the other at the foot of mountains, thus demonstrating best examples of desirable clan village locations. They are among the very few examples of intact traditional Korean clan villages that have kept their original spatial layouts featuring three areas for productive, residential and spiritual life, which exceptionally are still functioning.